The Cecil Whig., 1887-05-28
WING CORRESPONDENTS.
BR0ADBRIM'S NEW YORK LETTER.

One oi the busiest centers in New York
is Union Square. Where Broadway meets
it on the right is the Riaito of the actors.
aud here, lounging under the shadow OF
the Morton House, through the summer'J
heat and the winters cold plenty of them
are always to be found. They vary il
magnitude and spectability-like the
members of other calings, and there
are more grades amongst them than there
are castes in India. Like their name
sakes in the heavens there are stars of
different magnitudes; probably more
Ineligible classification would be plan
cts and fixed stars, Misunderstanding al
ways that there are planets on the stage
who differ as much in calibre as Jupiter
differs from Mercury. Great stars never
hang around here. If seen in the classic
precincts of the Morton House, it is only
for short time, and to keep an appoint
meIt with some manager. But SNUG
comedians, clean shaven and often seedy
are quite abundant; and tragic. solemn
looking gentlemen with frock coats but
toned to the chin to conceal their soiled
l.uen are by no means uncommon. AS
rule all the actors engaged in the Metro
politan theaters are an exceedingly well
dressed and comfortable looking lot of
people; as well they may be, for the
average of Metropolitan salaries is high
enabling the members of the theatrical
profession to live in comfort and luxury.
The leading man of a first class theater
does not feel called upon to notice any of
the junior members of the profession, if
he meets them in the street; and men,
Der of the ballet, though possibly she
might have known her for years, would
never expect to be noticed by the lead
ing lady i'll public. On Union Square are
also number of the best known theatri-
cal agencies and professional costumers,
shoemakers aud tailors who reap gol-
den harvest when business is good.
Immediately in front of the Union
Square theater is an equestrian statue of
Washington, which on Decoration Day
and other national holidays is an object
of special attention. Many years ago,
when Union Square was a quiet old
place, where gentlemen built their houses
for the sake of enjoying a breath of pure
country air most conspicuous feature
OF that suburban retreat was the magni-
ticent mansion of Judge Roosevelt. The
Judge represented strain of the oldest
aud bluest blood on Manhattan Island,
and was an aristocrat Of the first water
in all that that implies.
When the Square was being fixed up,
committee OF patriotic citizens resolved
that the proper thing to do, would be to
place a statue of The Father of his coun-
try, at the head OF New Yorks noblest
thoroughfare. The different property
holders about the Square were waited
on, and satisfactory subsci iiptions were
obtained, and at last they called on Judge
Roosevelt, thinking that the liberal con-
trbutions of his neighbors would have a
good effect on the Judges subscription,
for there was no denying it, that the
Judge was remarkably close listed. The
spokesman OF the party was an eminent
banker, and the committee was uShered
into the Judges drawing The
spokesman advanced and said, Judge
Roosevelt, we have been requested by
number of your fellow citizens to call Oh
to ask you for a subscription for the
purpose of erecting statue to the Father
of his country, which we propose to set
up directly in front of your house. It's
Il noble cause. Now, Judge, how much
viii You givc?' Not cent, sir; not a
cent, said the Judge, rising from his
seat; Il dom t want any statue raised to
the Father of my country, sir. | can re-
member him without any statue; I won't
give cent; no, sir; not cent" the
committee rose in Indignation, and the
chairman advanced to Judge Roosevelt
and said, 80 you won't give cent"
the Judge replied, "no sir; l won't"
why, may | ask?" said the chairman.
Because, said the Judge, 'Pve got the
Father OF my country enshrined in my
heart" Then, allow me to tell you,
Judge Roosevelt, you've got the Father
of your country in a--tight place.
and the committee instantly withdrew.
The statue was erected without the aid
of Judge RCose Velt, but as a punishment
Tor his meannesS they erected it on the
other side of the square. Between Broad
way and University Place is or was The
Maison d Or"-the House of Gold. What
visions of spendor-long since vanished,
pass in review before me; and what
long list of Fortunes fools went down to
ruin within its g:lded halls. 1t was in
the days of the old Tweed ring, when
fortunes were squandered in day, and
o(tentimes by public robbery, made in
an hour. The extravagant tastes of
these Sy barites had outgrown Delmon-
ico's Austinellis, and their widest
dreams of luxury We're to be realized in
this golden palace. Tweed bad leased
the Metropolitan Hotel, and furnishing
it magniticently. proposing to make it a
sort of political headquarters; but at The
Maison dor" grand private suppers
were to be given, and all the fast flyers
aud high steppers were expected to make
it their headquarters.
The hopes of it's founders were never
realized; a curse seemed to rest upon it
I'll, c+n lrL i
chung to it like the shirt of Nessus, and
the faint of moral leprosy dragged it
down to ruin. In after years it was oc-
cupied for various purposes, but the evil
taint of its birth followed it like witch's
curse; but the fates seem to be propiti-
ated at last, it is now opened as a cheap
restaurant. and with it's dedication to the
wants of the million, the curse seems to
have passed away.
The beautiful frescoes are still to be
seen on the ceilings and walls, but in
stead of the rich feasts of the past, when
fountains ran champagne; when in mid
winter the air was heavy with the per-
fume of the rarest flowers, and the land,
sea and sky were rapSacked to furnish
the tables, may now be @1en Goldfish balls,
ten cents; coffee and tea, five; flannel
cakes, ten cents; and apple dumping the
same; 3 toothsome steak for a quarter;
chops, ditto, ditto, and all the pork and
beans that yOu can comfortably put un-
der your belt for couple of nickels. |
was there when the Mason dor opened
its magnificent portals long years ago.
\ good many of the crowd who drank
beer and told queer stories at Pfaff S took
advantage of the occasion to get a square
meal and square drink, and | recollect
some of them who for days after had
their pockets stuffed full of the finest
cigars. 1t was great night, and every.
thing free to members Of the press.
The other day | stepped in there again
| was stranger among strangers. A
plate of fish balls, some flannel cakes and
cup of coffee involved the outlay of
quarter-humble but honest not dia-
monds, champagne, quail on toast, pate
de t0tS qrdS, bankruptcy and exile; but,
Sufficient for the day, &c. Don't sup
pose for moment that because the
charges are ten and five cents, that The
House of Gold" is frequented only by the
riffratf. Oh, by no means Ladies in
silks and satius and fine laces occupy
tables reserved exclusively for them, and
after luxurious feast they walk up to
the cashiers desk with check for fifteen
cents. 1t looks hopeful, this cheap dairy
in the center of our most fashionable
quarter, where a well dressed and well
bred lady is not ashamed to save her
money even if her husband has to earn it.
Henry George, the apostle of land re-
form and the prophet of the new millen-
mum, is busily engaged with Doctor
McGlynn in the formation of an Anti